Well, finally, the Arizona Daily Star (which has the largest newspaper circulation in Tucson) endorsed Attorney General Terry Goddard (D) for Governor today:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_d4649b3f-2831-5da4-9fb0-54bbb0e7c7f3.html

and incumbent Ken Bennett (R) for Secretary of State (who takes over should the Governor resign or leave office):
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_4213e38c-ca88-5e44-983e-09cec7885d0d.html

They also endorsed for U.S. Senate incumbent John McCain (R) today:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_6b670cb4-20f2-57b6-9f29-c51cfcb42434.html

And for the Congressional seats in Southern Arizona, incumbent Gabrielle Giffords (D) for House CD 8:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_6036f82e-eea6-50c6-85b0-ab7e74d7ca98.html

and incumbent Congressman Raul Grijalva (D) for CD 7:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_4167e7b8-c9ae-5016-aafd-98b99e98b7f5.html

Incumbency does seem to matter in these top races.

I wrote a previous blog about Tucson newspaper endorsements for state-wide offices (click here).

Recap of Star’s previous endorsements: Felecia Rotellini (D) for Attorney General, Doug Ducey (R) for Treasurer, Penny Kotterman (D) for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and incumbent Gary Pierce (R) & Brenda Burns (R) for Corporation Commission (2 seats). The only incumbent in these races is Pierce.

Reminder — The Tucson Weekly (10/7/10 issue) endorsed all Democrats except for U.S.Senate (no recommendation).

Vote wisely on or before November 2nd.

I’m in suspense. Whom will the Arizona Daily Star endorse for Governor and the #2 seat, Secretary of State? So far they have endorsed (with early voting starting on October 7, for the November 2 General Election):

Gary Pierce (R) and Brenda Burns (R) for Arizona Corporation Commission (2 seats open) on October 13: http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_1c98e870-14c6-5795-9287-070dd6fa1cf2.html

Penny Kotterman (D) for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction on October 12:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_edaa04de-b0ef-523a-b520-678f9d8e35db.html

Felecia Rotellini (D) for Arizona Attorney General on October 8:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_f898585e-6828-53d7-9da3-1ad5a9dfa8dc.html

Doug Ducey (R) for Arizona Treasurer on October 7:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_75948a60-023a-544d-853a-a441cc62733a.html

The Tucson Weekly (October 7 issue) has endorsed Democrats in almost all offices, except for “No Recommendation” in the U.S. Senate race, and none (oversight?) in LD 29 (currently represented by Democrats State Senator Linda Lopez, Rep. Matt Heinz & Daniel Patterson, all running for re-election, but there is a House seat challenger).

Click here, or views pages 18-21 of the October 7, 2010 issue of The Tucson Weekly. They did issue a disclaimer of sorts — “We decided not to make endorsements in some races, either because the result is not really in question, or we didn’t feel we had enough information to make a recommendation.”

We “citizen journalists” at the Tucsoncitizen.com may or may not endorse candidates, so you could check with the respective bloggers & Editor covering Politics & Government. Progressive & popular blogger “3 Sonorans” (David Morales) has already issued his Voter Guide to the candidates & propositions (click here.)

I’m not so sure whether voters follow endorsements of newspaper editorial boards, especially in Arizona where there are so many “Other/Independent” voters. But refer back to this blog once the General Election on November 2nd is over, to see whether these endorsements were influential enough to affect the final tallies.

And I’ll post updates if/when the daily Arizona Daily Star endorses for the two top highest seats in the State of Arizona.

Predictions, anyone?

UPDATE: On October 24 the Arizona Daily Star endorsed Terry Goddard and Ken Bennett, in answer to my question on top:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/10/24/az-daily-star-endorses-for-goddard-for-governor-mccain-for-u-s-senate/

Before the August 24 Arizona primary, I wrote an article noting that there seemed to be a woman candidate running for almost every Arizona public office (click here), but of course there are less now in the General Election.

Here’s a list of the women candidates seeking office in Southern Arizona and statewide. Most of these candidates have been endorsed by the Arizona Women’s Political Caucus (AWPC), EXCEPT for Republicans Governor Brewer, candidates Ruth McClung, Brenda Burns, Gail Griffin, Peggy Judd, and Terri Proud, and Democratic candidate Margaret DiFrank.

The AWPC only endorses women candidates who are pro-choice.

Congressional District 7: Ruth McClung (R), candidate
Congressional District 8: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D), incumbent

Governor Jan Brewer (R), incumbent (appointed)
Attorney General – Felecia Rotellini (D), candidate
Superintendent of Public Instruction – Penny Kotterman (D), candidate
Corporation Commission (2 seats) – Brenda Burns (R), candidate

Southern AZ legislators:

LD 25 Senate – Gail Griffin (R) candidate, former legislator
LD 25 House (2 seats) – Rep. Pat Fleming (D),incumbent and Peggy Judd (R) candidate

LD 26 Senate – Cheryl Cage (D), candidate
LD 26 House (2 seats) – Terri Proud (R) candidate, and Rep. Nancy Young Wright (D), incumbent

LD 27 Senate – Rep. Olivia Cajero Bedford (D), candidate, current legislator
LD 27 House – Sally Ann Gonzales (D), former legislator

LD 28 Senate – Senator Paula Aboud (D), incumbent

LD 29 Senate – Senator Linda Lopez (D), incumbent (unopposed)

LD 30 House – Andrea Dalessandro (D), candidate

Clerk of Superior Court – Margaret DiFrank (D) candidate, Clerk Patti Noland (R), incumbent

After the General Election 5 of the 6 Southern Arizona State Senators could be women, mostly Democrats — incumbents Senators Paula Aboud and Linda Lopez, plus veteran legislator Olivia Cajero Bedford, former legislator Gail Griffin, and newcomer Cheryl Cage.

Here’s their mission statement of AWPC:

“The Arizona Women’s Political Caucus is the state affiliate of the National Women’s Political Caucus. We are the only multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing the number of pro-choice women in elected and appointed office. We work to help women attain leadership positions at all levels of government.”

Early voting starts on October 7 for the November 2nd General Election.